Activities within the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership can only be successfully implemented and have their full impact if backed by accurate information, and effective communication. Raw data are needed to bring Euro-Mediterranean realities into focus, and that is the role of statistics. In addition, awareness of the Partnership’s progress and achievements comes through personal contacts and continuing access to information.

MEDSTAT includes thematic sub-programmes: external trade, environment (including water), transport, migration, tourism, national accounts, informal sector (i.e. non-observed economy); and two horizontal sub-programmes: training and information systems. The implementation of the Environment sub-programme, was entrusted to the Blue Plan by the European Commission.

The MEDSTAT project was prepared by the European Commission in 1996 for reinforcing production capacities and leveraging statistics in the twelve southern and eastern countries or authorities participating in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Agreement. Since Cyprus and Malta joined the European Union in 2004, there are now ten countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Israel, Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.

Environmental statistics in the Mediterranean countries - Compendium 2005
This publication is the second environmental statistics compendium produced
by Eurostat with data coming from the national statistics offices (NSOs) of
the EU's twelve southern and eastern Mediterranean partner countries. It
presents the data and the metadata collected within these twelve countries
in the framework of the MEDSTAT-Environment project, including a whole set
of general indicators plus more specific indicators concerning soils,
forests, water, marine environment, biodiversity, atmospheric pollution and
production and treatment of solid wastes. Certain tables help to make
comparisons at a regional level, while others illustrate the historical
evolution at a national level.

The rhythm of activities of the MEDSTAT III project has not been muchaltered by the events in the region, which proves the sustainedsupport to statistics in the MED countries. The mandates given by theDirectors Committee regarding the improved collaboration with otherinternational organizations in the region have been fulfilled, inparticular through the organisation of a number of inter-institutionalcontacts in the fields of Migration, Energy and Agriculture statistics.After some pause due to the Ramadan and holiday periods, a busyautumn is foreseen, including a special meeting of the DirectorsCommittee to further discuss the future strategy for statisticalcooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

MEDSTAT data
The Eurostat through the Medstat project has
been able to provide figures at the country level.

Pilot Study "Water and Tourism"
The
MEDSTAT II programme has published an innovative study on water consumption in
the tourism sector. This Pilot
Study "Water and Tourism"explores the issue of water use by tourism
activities and assesses the availability of statistical information in four
countries: Israel, Jordan, Morocco
and Tunisia.